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Mark Kimball tapped for AMPAS honor

Technologist to receive Bonner Medal

Mark Kimball, a computer scientist and motion picture technologist, has been voted to receive the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation by the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The award, a medallion, will be presented to him at the Scientific and Technical Awards dinner Feb. 7 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Named in honor of the late director of special projects at Warner Hollywood Studios, the John A. Bonner Medal is awarded for "outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."

"For three decades, Mark has been at the forefront of technological advancements in motion pictures," academy president Sid Ganis said. "His dedication to his craft and service to the academy are both highly regarded in the industry."

Kimball shared a Scientific and Engineering Award in 1991 for the design and development of the CAPS production system for feature film animation.

He began his career in 1978 at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a system engineer with the Deep Space Network. In 1980, he moved to Walt Disney Prods., transferring in 1985 to Walt Disney Feature Animation, where he spent nearly two decades as the CAPS logistics system lead, a senior software systems specialist, a consulting engineer and finally as chief technologist. From 2004-07, Kimball was director of digital production for the Walt Disney Co. Currently, he works as an independent media technology systems expert.

Kimball's feature credits include "Tron," "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "The Lion King," "Pocahontas," "Dinosaur" and "Atlantis: The Lost Empire."

An academy member since 1996, Kimball has served on the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee for 13 years, and in 2006, he was asked to join the Science and Technology Council.